Dorset receives international road safety commendation

Dorset Police, the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership and Dorset County Council's road safety team have received a Commendation in the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards, following a road safety initiative on the A37.

Following a series of serious injuries and road deaths during 2002/2003, the joint agency developed a proactive initiative to tackle the high number of serious injuries and road deaths on the A37. Through the combined effects of education, engineering and enforcement the number of serious injuries and road deaths on the road fell 70 per cent from 17 in 2002/03 to five in 2003/04.

Chief Inspector, Glen Chalk, of Dorset Police said: "By effectively analysing collisions that had occurred on the route, the Dorset Police Road Policing Unit was able to prioritise patrol based activity to ensure a visible presence in an attempt to detect offences and to moderate driver behaviour. This included joint crime and road safety initiatives using the latest in Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology."

Dorset's Road Safety Team devised a practical driving scheme tailored to the needs of both regular commuters and local residents along the 18-mile A37 corridor between Dorchester and Yeovil. The free 90-minute 'Community Safety Drives' gave drivers the opportunity to refresh their driving skills and knowledge, driving along the route in the company of specially trained driving instructors.

"We were inundated with calls from commuters and local residents wishing to take part in this unique project," says Robert Smith, Dorset County Council's road safety team leader. "We believe this is the first scheme of its kind in the country targeting driver improvement of regular commuters and those in the local communities along a specific route with a serious road casualty history. Other local authorities have expressed interest in replicating the project in their area," he added.

For further information contact Tracey Hall on 01202/01305 223780.